Sutton Coldfield Tory MP Andrew Mitchell seems to be trying to mend barriers with the boys – and girls – in blue by planting a smacker on both cheeks of Chief Superintendent Lorraine Bottomley yesterday in his constituency.

The clinch came as police investigating the “plebgate” affair arrested a second man, Scotland Yard announced.

The 23-year-old, who is not a police officer or a member of police staff, was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence, Scotland Yard said.

It follows the arrest of a police officer on Saturday.

Some 30 officers are working on the inquiry, which is being supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission amid claims that evidence against Mr Mitchell that ultimately led to his resignation was fabricated.

Mr Mitchell, the MP for Sutton Coldfield, stood down as chief whip in October over claims, which he has always denied, that he called police officers “plebs” and told them to “learn your f****** place”.

Fresh evidence has cast doubt on the allegations, and suggested that he may have been the victim of a deliberate attempt to smear him.

It has emerged Conservative MP John Randall received two e-mails apparently sent by a member of the public who witnessed the incident – but these were in fact sent by a police officer who was not even there at the time.

Mr Randall passed the e-mails on to Downing Street, and they appeared to offer independent verification that the claims against Mr Mitchell were true, shaking David Cameron’s confidence in his chief whip. Some Conservatives have suggested Mr Mitchell should return to government.

But Mr Mitchell said he just wanted the truth to come out. He said: “I have always said very clearly that I want to restore my reputation.”